Hartlepool draws illustrations from across the world for festival
Hartlepool will be buzzing with colour and creativity this autumn as the Northern Festival of Illustration returns for its biggest edition yet.
Running from September 13 to November 1, the biennial celebration of illustration and storytelling will span venues across the town, including Hartlepool Art Gallery, The Northern School of Art, Hartlepool Theatre and The Northern Studios.
At the heart of the festival is an exhibition at Hartlepool Art Gallery themed around Stories of Home, featuring more than 70 works from illustrators worldwide. Highlights include vibrant designs by Supermundane, eclectic prints by Jonny Hannah, the personal narratives of Bee Illustrates, and BAFTA-winning animator Mikey Please, whose work includes Aardman’s Oscar-nominated Robin Robin.
Matthew Burton, the Festival’s co-director, said: “We are very proud to be hosting the biggest event yet. The 2025 festival’s theme of ‘Stories of Home’ highlights the unique power of illustration to capture emotion, communicate identity, and preserve culture.
“The festival will span multiple venues across Hartlepool, bringing together communities, creatives, and audiences of all ages.”
The festival also includes the Northern Illustration Prize, which this year attracted over 1,700 entries from around the globe. Shortlisted works will be on display at Hartlepool Art Gallery, with winners announced at the launch event.
A packed events programme adds to the line-up: an Artists’ Makers Market at Hartlepool Theatre on September 20, a professional symposium and networking day on October 17, workshops for families and schools, and a special animation screening sponsored by Aardman Animation.
Now in its sixth edition, the festival continues to grow in scope and ambition, cementing Hartlepool’s reputation as a hub for creativity and visual storytelling.
For more information, visit thefestivalofillustration.com